U.S. patent application number 12/953898 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-24 for sensing devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to CHIMEI INNOLUX CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Martin John Edwards.
Application Number | 20120127116 12/953898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46063915 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120127116 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Edwards; Martin John |
May 24, 2012 |
Sensing Devices
Abstract
A sensing device is provided. First to third receiving
electrodes extend in a first direction. First and third receiving
electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the second
receiving electrode. The first to fourth transmitting electrodes
are disposed on a row extending in a second direction. The first
and second transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two
sides of the first receiving electrode, the third and fourth
transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of
the third receiving electrode, and the second and third
transmitting electrode are respectively disposed on two sides of
the second receiving electrode. The first, second third and fourth
transmitting electrodes are independently controlled by a
transmitter. A receiver generates a sensing signal according to a
signal level is at least one of the first, second, and third
receiving electrodes.
Inventors: |
Edwards; Martin John;
(Crawley, GB) |
Assignee: |
CHIMEI INNOLUX CORPORATION
Miao-Li County
TW
|
Family ID: |
46063915 |
Appl. No.: |
12/953898 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/174 ;
324/658 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0446 20190501;
G06F 2203/04111 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/174 ;
324/658 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/044 20060101
G06F003/044; G01R 27/26 20060101 G01R027/26 |
Claims
1. A sensing device for generating a sensing signal according to a
touch of an object comprising: a first receiving electrode, a
second receiving electrode, and a third receiving electrode
extending in a first direction, wherein the first and third
receiving electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the
second receiving electrode; a first transmitting electrode, a
second transmitting electrode, a third transmitting electrode, and
a fourth transmitting electrode disposed on a row which extends in
a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the
first and second transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed
on two sides of the first receiving electrode, the third and fourth
transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of
the third receiving electrode, and the second and third
transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of
the second receiving electrode; a transmitter coupled to the first,
second, third and fourth transmitting electrodes, wherein the
first, second, third, and fourth transmitting electrodes are
independently controlled by the transmitter; and a receiver coupled
to the first, second, and third receiving electrodes and generating
the sensing signal according to a signal level of at least one of
the first, second, and third receiving electrodes.
2. The sensing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a
fourth receiving electrode extending in the first direction,
wherein the second and fourth receiving electrodes are respectively
disposed on two sides of the third receiving electrode; and a fifth
transmitting electrode disposed on the row and controlled by the
transmitter; wherein the fourth and fifth transmitting electrodes
are respectively disposed on two sides of the fourth receiving
electrode.
3. The sensing device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first and
fifth transmitting electrodes have the same voltage level.
4. The sensing device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: a
fifth receiving electrode extending in the first direction, wherein
the third and fifth receiving electrodes are respectively disposed
on two sides of the fourth receiving electrode; and a sixth
transmitting electrode disposed on the row and controlled by the
transmitter; wherein the fifth and sixth transmitting electrodes
are respectively disposed on two sides of the fifth receiving
electrode.
5. The sensing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first and
fifth transmitting electrodes have the same voltage level, and the
second and sixth transmitting electrodes have the same voltage
level.
6. The sensing device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising: a
sixth receiving electrode extending in the first direction, wherein
the fourth and sixth receiving electrodes are respectively disposed
on two sides of the fifth receiving electrode; and a seventh
transmitting electrode disposed on the row and controlled by the
transmitter; wherein the sixth and seventh transmitting electrodes
are respectively disposed on two sides of the sixth receiving
electrode.
7. The sensing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and
fifth transmitting electrodes have the same voltage level, the
second and sixth transmitting electrodes have the same voltage
level, and the third and seventh transmitting electrodes have the
same voltage level.
8. The sensing device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: a
seventh receiving electrode extending in the first direction,
wherein the fifth and seventh receiving electrodes are respectively
disposed on two sides of the sixth receiving electrode; and an
eighth transmitting electrode disposed on the row and controlled by
the transmitter, wherein the seventh and eighth transmitting
electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the seventh
receiving electrode.
9. The sensing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and
fifth transmitting electrodes have the same voltage level, the
second and sixth transmitting electrodes have the same voltage
level, the third and seventh transmitting electrodes have the same
voltage level, and the fourth and eighth transmitting electrodes
have the same voltage level.
10. The sensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the
transmitter provides a transmitting signal to the first and second
transmitting electrodes, and the transmitter provides a voltage
level to the third and fourth transmitting electrodes.
11. The sensing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the voltage
level is a level of a ground.
12. The sensing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a polarity
of the voltage level is inverse to a polarity of a voltage level of
the transmitting signal.
13. A sensing device for generating a sensing signal according to a
touch of an object comprising: a first receiving electrode and a
second receiving electrode extending in a first direction, wherein
the first receiving electrode is disposed on one side of the second
receiving electrode; a first transmitting electrode, a second
transmitting electrode, a third transmitting electrode, and a
fourth transmitting electrode disposed on a row which extends in a
second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the
first and second transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed
on two sides of the first receiving electrode, the third and fourth
transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of
the second receiving electrode, and the second and third
transmitting electrodes are disposed between the first and second
receiving electrodes; a transmitter coupled to the first, second,
third and fourth transmitting electrodes, wherein the first,
second, third and fourth transmitting electrodes are independently
controlled by the transmitter; and a receiver coupled to the first
and second receiving electrodes and generating the sensing signal
according to a signal level of at least one of the first and second
receiving electrodes.
14. The sensing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second
transmitting electrode is disposed close to the first receiving
electrode, and the third transmitting electrode is disposed close
to the second receiving electrode.
15. The sensing device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:
a third receiving electrode extending in the first direction,
wherein the third receiving electrode is disposed on the other side
of the second receiving electrode; and a fifth transmitting
electrode and a sixth transmitting electrode disposed on the row;
wherein the fifth and sixth transmitting electrodes are
respectively disposed on two sides of the third receiving
electrode, and the fourth and fifth transmitting electrodes are
disposed between the second and third receiving electrodes.
16. The sensing device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fourth
transmitting electrode is disposed close to the second receiving
electrode, and the fifth transmitting electrode is disposed close
to the second receiving electrode.
17. The sensing device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first,
second, the fifth, and the sixth transmitting electrode have the
same voltage level, and the third and fourth transmitting electrode
have the same voltage level.
18. The sensing device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:
a fourth receiving electrode extending in the first direction,
wherein the second and fourth receiving electrodes are respectively
disposed on two sides of the third receiving electrode; and a
seventh transmitting electrode and a eighth transmitting electrode
disposed on the row; wherein the seventh and eighth transmitting
electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the fourth
receiving electrode, and the sixth and seventh transmitting
electrodes are disposed between the third and fourth receiving
electrodes.
19. The sensing device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the sixth
transmitting electrode is disposed close to the third receiving
electrode, and the seventh transmitting electrode is disposed close
to the fourth receiving electrode.
20. The sensing device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first,
second, the fifth, and the sixth transmitting electrode have the
same voltage level, and the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth
transmitting electrode have the same voltage level.
21. The sensing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein when the
transmitter provides a transmitting signal to the first and second
transmitting electrodes, the transmitter provides voltage level to
the third and fourth transmitting electrodes.
22. The sensing device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the voltage
level is a level of a ground.
23. The sensing device as claimed in claim 21, wherein a polarity
of the voltage level is inverse to a polarity of a voltage level of
the transmitting signal.
24. A display apparatus comprising: a sensing device as claimed in
claim 13; and a controller, wherein the controller is operatively
coupled to the sensing device.
25. An electronic device comprising: a display apparatus as claimed
in claim 24; and an input unit, wherein the input unit is
operatively coupled to the display device.
26. The electronic device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the
electronic device is a PDA, a digital camera, a display monitor, a
notebook computer, a tablet computer, or a cellular phone.
27. A display apparatus comprising: a sensing device as claimed in
claim 1; and a controller, wherein the controller is operatively
coupled to the sensing device.
28. An electronic device comprising: a display apparatus as claimed
in claim 27; and an input unit, wherein the input unit is
operatively coupled to the display device.
29. The electronic device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the
electronic device is a PDA, a digital camera, a display monitor, a
notebook computer, a tablet computer, or a cellular phone.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a sensing device, and more
particularly to a capacitive touch sensing device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional capacitive touch sensing device comprises a
sensing array which consists of horizontal sensing electrodes and
vertical sensing electrodes. During the operation of the sensing
device, the coupling of noise onto the sensing electrodes from the
surrounding environment may cause errors. For example, when the
sensing device is integrated with a display device, noise may be
coupled onto the sensing electrodes from display electrodes of the
display device. FIG. 1 shows capacitance, which is present on the
sensing electrodes when the sensing electrodes are integrated on
the color filter substrate of the display device. In FIG. 1, only
one horizontal sensing electrode T10 and one vertical sensing
electrode R10 are shown. When a grounded object 10 approaches the
crossing point of the horizontal sensing electrode T10 and the
vertical sensing electrode R10, the crossing capacitance Ccross
between the horizontal sensing electrode T10 and the vertical
sensing electrode R10 is decreased. The variation of the value of
the crossing capacitance Ccross can be measured by applying a
transmitting signal to the horizontal sensing electrode T10 from a
transmitter 11 and by detecting the coupled signal on the vertical
sensing electrode R10 using a receiver 12.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows a conventional pattern of horizontal sensing
electrodes and vertical sensing electrodes in a capacitive touch
sensing device. Between crossing points of horizontal sensing
electrodes T1.about.T3 and vertical sensing electrodes R1.about.R3,
these sensing electrodes are widened to firm diamond shapes.
Referring to FIG. 2, all of the diamond shapes of one horizontal
sensing electrode receive the same transmitting signal from a
transmitter. In other words, the diamond shapes on the same
horizontal row are belonged to the same horizontal sensing
electrode and are not controlled independently by a transmitter,
which reduces types of cross-capacitance measurement methods.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An exemplary embodiment of a sensing device is provided to
generate a sensing signal according to a touch of an object. The
sensing device comprises first to third receiving electrodes, first
to fourth transmitting electrodes, a transmitter, and a receiver.
The first to third receiving electrodes extend in a first
direction. The first and third receiving electrodes are
respectively disposed on two sides of the second receiving
electrode. The first to fourth transmitting electrodes are disposed
on a row which extends in a second direction intersecting the first
direction. The first and second transmitting electrodes are
respectively disposed on two sides of the first receiving
electrode, the third and fourth transmitting electrodes are
respectively disposed on two sides of the third receiving
electrode, and the second and third transmitting electrodes are
respectively disposed on two sides of the second receiving
electrode. The transmitter is coupled to the first, second, third,
and fourth transmitting electrodes. The first, second, third, and
fourth transmitting electrodes are independently controlled by the
transmitter. The receiver is coupled to the first, second, and
third receiving electrodes and generates a sensing signal according
to a signal level of at least one of the first, second, and third
receiving electrodes.
[0007] An exemplary embodiment of a sensing device is provided to
generate a sensing signal according to a touch of an object. The
sensing device comprises first and second receiving electrodes,
first to fourth transmitting electrodes, a transmitter, and a
receiver. The first and second receiving electrodes extend in a
first direction. The first receiving electrode is disposed on one
side of the second receiving electrode. The first to fourth
transmitting electrodes are disposed on a row which extends in a
second direction intersecting the first direction. The first and
second transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two
sides of the first receiving electrode, the third and fourth
transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of
the second receiving electrode, and the second and third
transmitting electrodes are disposed between the first and second
receiving electrodes. The transmitter is coupled to the first,
second, third and fourth transmitting electrodes. The first,
second, third and fourth transmitting electrodes are independently
controlled by the transmitter. The receiver is coupled to the first
and second receiving electrodes and generates the sensing signal
according to a signal level of at least one of the first and second
receiving electrodes.
[0008] A detailed description is given in the following embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention can be more fully understood by reading the
subsequent detailed description and examples with references made
to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 shows capacitance, which is present on the sensing
electrodes when the sensing electrodes are integrated on the color
filter substrate of the display device;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a conventional pattern of horizontal sensing
electrodes and vertical sensing electrodes in a capacitive touch
sensing device;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sensing
device;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sensing array;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sensing array;
[0015] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a display device;
and
[0016] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of an electronic
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The following description is of the best-contemplated mode
of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and
should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention
is best determined by reference to the appended claims.
[0018] Sensing devices are provided. In an exemplary embodiment of
a sensing device in FIG. 3, a sensing device 3 generates a sensing
signal according to a touch of an object and comprises a sensing
array 30, at least one transmitter 31, and at least one receiver
32. In the embodiment, the sensing device 3 is a capacitive touch
sensing device. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the sensing
array 30. Referring to FIG. 4, the sensing array 30 comprises a
plurality of transmitting electrodes and a plurality of receiving
electrodes. In the embodiment, eight receiving electrodes
R1.about.R8 are given as an example. The receiver 32 are coupled to
the receiving electrodes R1.about.R8. The receiving electrodes
R1.about.R8 extend in a first direction, for example the vertical
direction. The receiving electrodes R1.about.R8 are arranged in
turn from the left side to the right side, as shown in FIG. 4. The
transmitting electrodes are controlled by the transmitter 31. The
transmitting electrodes are disposed on rows. The rows extend in a
second direction intersecting the first direction, for example the
horizontal direction, and the rows are arranged in turn from the
upper side to the lower side, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0019] In FIG. 4, four rows ROW1.about.ROW4 are given as an
example. For each row, transmitting electrodes are divided into
four groups A.about.D. Referring to FIG. 4, in the row ROW1, there
are transmitting electrodes T1A.sub.1 and T1A.sub.2 (group A),
T1B.sub.1 and T1B.sub.2 (group B), T1C.sub.1 and T1C.sub.2 (group
C), and T1D.sub.1 and T1D.sub.2 (group D). In the row ROW2, there
are transmitting electrodes T2A.sub.1 and T2A.sub.2, T2B.sub.1 and
T2B.sub.2, T2C.sub.1 and T2C.sub.2, and T2D.sub.1 and T2D.sub.2. In
the row ROW3, there are transmitting electrodes T3A.sub.1 and
T3A.sub.2, T3B.sub.1 and T3B.sub.2, T3C.sub.1 and T3C.sub.2, and
T3D.sub.1 and T3D.sub.2. In the row ROW4, there are transmitting
electrodes T4A.sub.1 and T4A.sub.2, T4B.sub.1 and T4B.sub.2,
T4C.sub.1 and T4C.sub.2, and T4D.sub.1 and T4D.sub.2. In each row,
one set of four transmitting electrodes respectively belonging to
the groups A.about.D are congregated. In FIG. 4, two sets are given
as an example for each row. For example, in the row ROW1, the
transmitting electrodes T1A.sub.1, T1B.sub.1, T1C.sub.1, and
T1D.sub.1 form one set, and the transmitting electrodes T1A.sub.2,
T1B.sub.2, T1C.sub.2, and T1D.sub.2 form the other set. In the
embodiment, there are four transmitting electrodes in one set.
However, in other embodiments, based on the pattern of the
transmitting electrodes in FIG. 5, the number of transmitting
electrode sets on one row and the number of transmitting electrodes
in one set can be determined according to system requirement,
without limitation.
[0020] Moreover, in each row, the transmitting electrodes belonging
to the same group are coupled to the same signal line for receiving
the same signal. For example, in the row ROW1, the transmitting
electrodes T1A.sub.1 and T1A.sub.2 belonging to the group A are
coupled to a signal line L1A, the transmitting electrodes T1B.sub.1
and T1B.sub.2 belonging to the group B are coupled to a signal line
L1B, the transmitting electrodes T1C.sub.1 and T1C.sub.2 belonging
to the group C are coupled to a signal line L1C, and the
transmitting electrodes T1D.sub.1 and T1D.sub.2 belonging to the
group D are coupled to a signal line L1D. In the rows
ROW2.about.ROW4, the signal lines L2A.about.L2D, L3A.about.L3D, and
L4A.about.L4D are coupled to the corresponding transmitting
electrodes according to the previous like descriptions. Thus,
related descriptions are omitted here. The signal lines
L1A.about.L1D, L2A.about.L2D, L3A.about.L3D, and L4A.about.L4D are
coupled to the transmitter 31.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, near the crossing point between the
receiving electrodes R1.about.R8 and the rows ROW1.about.ROW4, the
receiving electrodes R1.about.R8 are widened to form diamond shapes
and are in illustrated by dense dots, and the transmitting
electrodes in the rows ROW1.about.ROW4 are also widened to form
diamond shapes and are in illustrated by sparse dots.
[0022] In the following, the transmitting electrodes in the row
ROW1 and the receiving electrodes R1.about.R8 are given as an
example for description. For the first set of transmitting
electrodes in the row ROW1, the transmitting electrodes T1A.sub.1
and T1B.sub.1 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R1, the transmitting electrodes T1B.sub.1 and
T1C.sub.1 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R2, and transmitting electrodes T1C.sub.1 and
T1D.sub.1 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R3. For the second set of the transmitting
electrodes in the row ROW1, the transmitting electrodes T1A.sub.2
and T1B.sub.2 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R5, the transmitting electrodes T1B.sub.2 and
T1C.sub.2 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R6, and the transmitting electrodes T1C.sub.2
and T1D.sub.2 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R7. Note that the transmitting electrode
T1D.sub.1 of the first set and the transmitting electrode T1A.sub.2
of the second set are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R4. The transmitting electrode T1D.sub.2 is
also disposed on one side of the receiving electrode R8, and
another transmitting electrode T1A.sub.3 which is coupled to the
signal line L1A is disposed on the other side of the receiving
electrode R8.
[0023] For the row ROW1, in one transmitting electrode set, the
transmitting electrodes respectively belonging to the groups
A.about.D are independently controlled by the transmitter 31
respectively through the signal lines L1A.about.L1D. For example,
when the receiver 32 measures a crossing capacitance between two
adjacent transmitting electrodes on one row and a specific
receiving electrode, the transmitter 31 provides a transmitting
signal to the two adjacent transmitting electrodes. The receiver 32
generates the sensing signal according to the signal level of the
specific receiving electrodes which is induced by the transmitting
signal through the crossing capacitance. Moreover, the transmitter
31 provides a predetermined voltage level to the other transmitting
electrodes on the row ROW1 which do not receive the transmitting
signal from the transmitter 31. In the embodiment, the
predetermined voltage level can be a voltage level of a ground. In
another embodiment in which a differential measurement is used,
when the receiver 32 measures a crossing capacitance between two
adjacent transmitting electrodes on one row and a specific
receiving electrode which is coupled one input terminal of the
receiver 32, the transmitter 31 provides a transmitting signal to
the two adjacent transmitting electrodes. Moreover, the transmitter
31 provides a voltage level with the polarity inverse to the
polarity of the voltage level of the transmitting signal to the
transmitting electrodes adjacent to the receiving electrode which
is coupled to the other terminal of the receiver 32. If there are
remaining transmitting electrodes which do not receive the
transmitting signal and the voltage level with the inverse
polarity, the transmitter 31 further provides a ground voltage
level to these remaining transmitting electrodes.
[0024] Assume that a crossing capacitance between two adjacent
transmitting electrodes T1A.sub.1 and T1B.sub.1 and the receiving
electrode R1 is measured. The transmitter 31 provides the
transmitting signal to the adjacent transmitting electrodes
T1A.sub.1 and T1B.sub.1, respectively, through the signal lines L1A
and L1B. The transmitter 31 provides the predetermined voltage
level to the other transmitting electrodes T1C.sub.1, T1D.sub.1,
T1C.sub.2, and T1D.sub.2 which do not receive the transmitting
signal from the transmitter 31.
[0025] Further assume that a crossing capacitance between two
adjacent transmitting electrodes T1C.sub.1 and T1D.sub.1 and the
receiving electrode R3 is measured. The transmitter 31 provides a
transmitting signal to the adjacent transmitting electrodes
T1C.sub.1 and T1D.sub.1 respectively through the signal lines L1C
and L1D. The transmitter 31 provides the predetermined voltage
level to the other transmitting electrodes T1A.sub.1, T1B.sub.1,
T1A.sub.2, and T1B.sub.2 which do not receive signals from the
transmitter 31.
[0026] Assume the sensing array in FIG. 4 is applied in a
differential measurement, the receiver 32 is implemented by is a
differential receiver circuit with two input terminals. When a
crossing capacitance between two adjacent transmitting electrodes
T1A.sub.1 and T1B.sub.1 and the receiving electrode R1 is measured.
The transmitter 31 provides the transmitting signal to the adjacent
transmitting electrodes T1A.sub.1 and T1B.sub.1, respectively,
through the signal lines L1A and L1B. One input terminal of the
receiver 32 is coupled to the receiving electrode R1, and the other
input terminal thereof is coupled to the receiving electrode R3
separated from the transmitting electrodes T1A.sub.1 and T1B.sub.1,
as shown in Table 1. Moreover, the other transmitting electrodes
T1C.sub.1, T1D.sub.1, T1C.sub.2, and T1D.sub.2 which do not receive
signals from the transmitter 31 are connected to the fixed voltage
level, such as a voltage level of a ground. When a crossing
capacitance between two adjacent transmitting electrodes T1C.sub.1
and T1D.sub.1 and the receiving electrode R3 is measured. The
transmitter 31 provides a transmitting signal to the adjacent
transmitting electrodes T1C.sub.1 and T1D.sub.1 respectively
through the signal lines L1C and L1D. One input terminal of the
receiver 32 is coupled to the receiving electrode R3, and the other
terminal thereof is coupled to the receiving electrode R5 or R1
separated from the transmitting electrodes T1C.sub.1 and T1D.sub.1,
as shown in Table 1. Moreover, the other transmitting electrodes
T1A.sub.1, T1B.sub.1, T1A.sub.2, and T1B.sub.2 which do not receive
signals from the transmitter 31 are connected to the fixed voltage
level. According to the differential capacitance measurement, when
the sensing device 3 with the sensing array of FIG. 4 is integrated
with a display device, the noise on the measured receiving
electrode resulted from display electrodes of the display device or
from other sources can be eliminated.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Measuring crossing capacitance Connecting
the Connecting the between the two adjacent Providing a
transmitting receiving electrode receiving electrode transmitting
electrodes and signal to the to one input terminal to the other
input the receiving electrode transmitting electrodes of the
receiver terminal of the receiver T1A.sub.1 & T1B.sub.1, R1
T1A.sub.1 & T1B.sub.1 R1 R3 T1B.sub.1 & T1C.sub.1, R2
T1B.sub.1 & T1C.sub.1 R2 R4 T1C.sub.1 & T1D.sub.1, R3
TIC.sub.1 & T1D.sub.1 R3 R1 or R5 T1D.sub.1 & T1A.sub.2, R4
T1D.sub.1 & T1A.sub.2 R4 R2 or R6 T1A.sub.2 & T1B.sub.2, R5
T1A.sub.2 & T1B.sub.2 R5 R3 or R7 T1B.sub.2 & T1C.sub.2, R6
T1B.sub.2 & T1C.sub.2 R6 R4 or R8 T1C.sub.2 & T1D.sub.2, R7
T1C.sub.2 & T1D.sub.2 R7 R5 T1D.sub.2 & T1A.sub.3, R8
T1D.sub.2 & T1A.sub.3 R8 R6
[0027] FIG. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of the sensing
array 30. Referring to FIG. 5, the sensing array 30 comprises a
plurality of transmitting electrodes and a plurality of receiving
electrodes. In the embodiment, four receiving electrodes
R1.about.R4' are given as an example. The receiver 32 are coupled
to the receiving electrodes R1.about.R4'. The receiving electrodes
R1.about.R4' extends in a first direction, for example the vertical
direction. The receiving electrodes R1'.about.R4' are arranged in
turn from the left side to the right side, as shown in FIG. 5. The
transmitting electrodes are controlled by the transmitter 31. The
transmitting electrodes are disposed on rows. The rows extend in a
second direction intersecting the first direction, for example the
horizontal direction, and the rows are arranged in turn from the
upper side to the lower side, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0028] In FIG. 5, four rows ROW1'.about.ROW4' are given as an
example. For each row, transmitting electrodes are divided into two
groups A' and B'. Referring to FIG. 5, in the row ROW1', there are
transmitting electrodes T1A'.sub.1.about.T1A'.sub.4 (group A) and
T1B'.sub.1.about.T1B'.sub.4 (group B'). In the row ROW2', there are
transmitting electrodes T2A'.sub.1.about.T2'A.sub.4 and
T2B'.sub.1.about.T2B'.sub.4. In the row ROW3', there are
transmitting electrodes T3A'.sub.1.about.T3A'.sub.4 and
T3B'.sub.1.about.T3B'.sub.4. In the row ROW4', there are
transmitting electrodes T4A'.sub.1.about.T4A'.sub.4 and
T4B'.sub.1.about.T4B'.sub.4. In each row, one set of the four
transmitting electrodes, two transmitting electrodes belonging to
the group A and the other two transmitting electrodes belonging to
the group B, are congregated. In FIG. 5, two sets are given as
example for each row. For example, in the row ROW1', the
transmitting electrodes T1A'.sub.1.about.T1A'.sub.2 and
T1B'.sub.1.about.T1B'.sub.2 form one set, and the transmitting
electrodes T1A'.sub.3.about.T1A'.sub.4 and
T1B'.sub.3.about.T1B'.sub.4 form the other set. In the embodiment,
there are four transmitting electrodes belonging to the two groups
A and Bin one set. However, in other embodiments, based on the
pattern of the transmitting electrodes in FIG. 5, the number of
transmitting electrodes in one set and the number of groups of the
transmitting electrodes in one set can be determined according to
system requirement, without limitation.
[0029] Moreover, in each row, the transmitting electrodes belonging
to the same group are coupled to the same signal line for receiving
the same signal. For example, in the row ROW1', the transmitting
electrodes T1A'.sub.1.about.T1A'.sub.4 belonging to the group A are
coupled to a signal line L1A', and the transmitting electrodes
T1B'.sub.1.about.T1B'.sub.4 belonging to the group B are coupled to
a signal line L1B'. In the rows ROW2'.about.ROW4', signal lines
L2A'.about.L2B', L3A'.about.L3B', and L4A'.about.L4B' are coupled
to the corresponding transmitting electrodes according to the
previous like descriptions. Thus, related descriptions are omitted
here. The signal lines L1A'.about.L1B', L2A'.about.L2B',
L3A'.about.L3B', and L4A'.about.L4B' are coupled to the transmitter
31.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, near the crossing point between the
receiving electrodes R1'.about.R4' and the rows ROW1'.about.ROW4',
the receiving electrodes R1.about.R4' are widened to form diamond
shapes and are in illustrated by dense dots, and the transmitting
electrodes in the rows ROW1'.about.ROW4' are also widened to form
triangular shapes and are in illustrated by sparse dots.
[0031] In the following, the transmitting electrodes in the row
ROW1' and the receiving electrodes R1.about.R4' are given as an
example for description. For the first set of transmitting
electrodes in the row ROW1', the transmitting electrodes T1A'.sub.1
and T1A'.sub.2 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R1', and the transmitting electrodes T1B'.sub.1
and T1B'.sub.2 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R2'. For the second set of transmitting
electrodes in the row ROW1', the transmitting electrodes T1A'.sub.3
and T1A'.sub.4 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R3', and the transmitting electrodes T1B'.sub.3
and T1B'.sub.4 are respectively disposed on the two sides of the
receiving electrode R4'.
[0032] For the row ROW1', in one transmitting electrode set, the
transmitting electrodes respectively belonging to the groups
A.about.B are independently controlled by the transmitter 31
respectively through the signal lines L1A'.about.L1B'. For example,
when the receiver 32 measures a crossing capacitance between two
adjacent transmitting electrodes on one row and a specific
receiving electrode, the transmitter 31 provides transmitting
signals to the two adjacent transmitting electrodes. The receiver
32 generates a sensing signal according to the signal level of the
specific receiving electrodes which is induced by the transmitting
signal through the crossing capacitance. Moreover, the transmitter
31 provides a predetermined voltage level to the other transmitting
electrodes on the row ROW1' which do not receive the transmitting
signal from the transmitter 31. In the embodiment, the
predetermined voltage level can be a voltage level of a ground. In
another embodiment in which a differential measurement is used,
when the receiver 32 measures a crossing capacitance between two
adjacent transmitting electrodes on one row and a specific
receiving electrode which is coupled one input terminal of the
receiver 32, the transmitter 31 provides a transmitting signal to
the two adjacent transmitting electrodes. Moreover, the transmitter
31 provides a voltage level with the polarity inverse to the
polarity of the voltage level of the transmitting signal to the
transmitting electrodes adjacent to the receiving electrode which
is coupled to the other terminal of the receiver 32. If there are
remaining transmitting electrodes which do not receive the
transmitting signal and the voltage level with the inverse
polarity, the transmitter 31 further provides a ground voltage
level to these remaining transmitting electrodes.
[0033] Assume that a crossing capacitance between two adjacent
transmitting electrodes T1A'.sub.1 and T1A'.sub.2 and the receiving
electrode R1' is measured. The transmitter 31 provides a
transmitting signal to the adjacent transmitting electrodes
T1A'.sub.1 and T1A'.sub.2 through the signal line L1A'. The
transmitter 31 provides the predetermined voltage level to the
other transmitting electrodes T1B'.sub.1.about.T1B'.sub.4 which do
not receive the transmitting signal from the transmitter 31.
[0034] Further assume that a crossing capacitance between two
adjacent transmitting electrodes T1B'.sub.1 and T1B'.sub.2 and the
receiving electrode R2 is measured. The transmitter 31 provides a
transmitting signal to the adjacent transmitting electrodes
T1B'.sub.1 and T1B'.sub.2 through the signal line L1B'. The
transmitter 31 provides the predetermined voltage level to the
other transmitting electrodes T1A'.sub.1.about.T1A'.sub.4 which do
not receive the transmitting signal from the transmitter 31 are
connected to the fixed voltage level.
[0035] Assume the sensing array in FIG. 5 is applied in a
differential measurement, the receiver 32 is implemented by is a
differential receiver circuit with two input terminals. Assume that
a crossing capacitance between two adjacent transmitting electrodes
T1A'.sub.1 and T1A'.sub.2 and the receiving electrode R1' is
measured. The transmitter 31 provides a transmitting signal to the
adjacent transmitting electrodes T1A'.sub.1 and T1A'.sub.2 through
the signal line L1A'. One input terminal of the receiver 32 is
coupled to the receiving electrode R1', and the other terminal
thereof is coupled to the receiving electrode R2' adjacent to the
receiving electrode R1', as shown in Table 2. Moreover, the other
transmitting electrodes T1B'.sub.1.about.T1B'.sub.4 which do not
receive signals from the transmitter 31 are connected to the
predetermined voltage level. Assume that a crossing capacitance
between two adjacent transmitting electrodes T1B'.sub.1 and
T1B'.sub.2 and the receiving electrode R2 is measured. The
transmitter 31 provides a transmitting signal to the adjacent
transmitting electrodes T1B'.sub.1 and T1B'.sub.2 through the
signal line L1B'. One input terminal of the receiver 32 is coupled
to the receiving electrode R2', and the other terminal thereof is
coupled to the receiving electrode R1' or R3' adjacent to the
specific receiving electrode R2', as shown in Table 2. Moreover,
the other transmitting electrodes T1A'.sub.1.about.T1A'.sub.4 which
do not receive signals from the transmitter 31 are connected to the
predetermined voltage level. In some embodiments, the predetermined
voltage level can be a voltage level of a ground or a voltage level
with the polarity inverse to the polarity of the voltage level of
the transmitting signal. In the case in which the predetermined
voltage level is a voltage level with the polarity inverse to the
polarity of the voltage level of the transmitting signal, according
to the differential capacitance measurement, the output signal of
the receiver 32 represents the sum of the two cross capacitance
values related to the measured receiving electrodes due to the two
signals with complementary polarities. Moreover, according to the
differential capacitance measurement, when the sensing device 3
with the sensing array of FIG. 5 is integrated with a display
device, the noise on the measured receiving electrode resulted from
display electrodes of the display device or from other sources can
be eliminated.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Measuring crossing capacitance Providing the
transmitting Connecting the Connecting the between the two adjacent
signals with complementary receiving electrode receiving electrode
transmitting electrodes and polarities respectively to to one input
terminal to the other input the receiving electrode the
transmitting electrodes of the receiver terminal of the receiver
T1A'.sub.1 & T1A'.sub.2, R1' T1A'.sub.1 & T1A'.sub.2 R1 R2
T1B'.sub.1 & T1B'.sub.2, R2' T1B'.sub.1 & T1B'.sub.2 R2 R1
or R3 T1A'.sub.3 & T1A'.sub.4, R3 T1A'.sub.3 & T1A'.sub.4
R3 R2 or R4 T1B'.sub.4 & T1B'.sub.4, R4 T1B'.sub.4 &
T1B'.sub.4 R4 R3
[0036] FIG. 6 schematically shows a display apparatus 6 employing
the disclosed sensing device 3 with the sensing array of FIG. 4 or
FIG. 5. Generally, the apparatus 6 includes a controller 60 and the
sensing device 3 shown in FIG. 3, etc. The controller 60 is
operatively coupled to the sensing device 3 and provides control
signals to the sensing device 3.
[0037] FIG. 7 schematically shows an electronic device 7 employing
the disclosed display apparatus 6. The electronic device 7 may be a
portable device such as a PDA, digital camera, notebook computer,
tablet computer, cellular phone, a display monitor device, or
similar. Generally, the electronic device 7 comprises an input unit
70 and the display apparatus 6 shown in FIG. 6, etc. Further, the
input unit 70 is operatively coupled to the display apparatus 6 and
provides input signals to the display apparatus 6. The controller
60 of the display apparatus 6 provides the control signals to the
sensing device 3 according to the input signals.
[0038] While the invention has been described by way of example and
in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the
contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar
arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art).
Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and similar arrangements.
* * * * *